Zelma Baer

Other Events:

• Interesting: service, story
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-202704
• Residence: 1911, Haysville, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1956, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

"Zelma Baer left footprints of discipline and hope wherever she went. She learned or inherited her authority and discipline from her father and her mothering and housekeeping abilities from her mother. 'She thought clearly and acted wisely, although we did not always recognize it at the time', commented her sister. Her life was one of practical ministry and selfless caring.

THE PRACTICAL NURSE

Zelma was born on June 6, 1905 to Ephraim and Lovina (Nahrgang) Baer on their farm just west of the hamlet of Haysville. Zelma's childhood predated modern conveniences, the world wars, and the Depression. Zelma learned to work, but she also had the physique. She was a well-built,strong woman, and according to a neighbour and friend, always 'carried herself regally'.

As the oldest in a large family, Zelma learned 'practical nursing' at an early age. Her brothers and sisters were born at home. In a large familycommunicable diseases made their rounds. The family was quarantined most of one winter because several children contracted scarlet fever one after another.

The Baer family was deeply religious. There was daily family worship, and they always went to church - and that was on time. On one occasion Father packed his family into the sleigh with heated bricks and blankets, and when they arrived at church, found the service had been cancelled due to impassable roads! It was the Biehn Mennonite Church (now Nith Valley) where the Baers attended.

The Baers entertained missionaries and Bible teachers in the home, giving the children exposure to people and the world beyond their home and community. It is from these experiences that Zelma may have aspired tobecome a doctor. At age 25, she left for Eastern Mennonite High School in Harrisonsburg, Virginia. Her schooling in Virginia was limited to a year or two, and the goal to become a doctor was abandoned.

Zelma came back to Ontario and embarked on a career of providing nursing care in the home. During the early years she served primarily on confinement cases. At that time most babies were born at home. Doctors were plentiful enough that practicing midwives had been put out of business - especially in Zelma's community - but people still engaged the services of a practical nurse. Called at the onset of labour, Zelma would aid in the decision as to when to call the doctor. If, for any reason,the doctor did not arrive on time, Zelma was there to take care of the delivery. Several family members and friends attest to the fact that Zelma delivered their babies.

Those who engaged Zelma as their 'nurse' got a housekeeper, additional parent, and manager in the bargain. If the baby was a firstborn, she shared the couple's excitement. If a young child was being replaced by a new baby, Zelma took this child to bed with her, giving both physical and emotional comfort.

If necessary, Zelma managed the household. A member of the Garber family commented on Zelma's roll in their home: 'When it was time for chores,she expected the cows to be in from the field so she could help with the milking. If the cows weren't in on time, there might be a familyconference at supper, and one of us children would have to squirm. At times like this, Zelma knew enough to be quiet and let the real parents supply the discipline. But if the parents were not there, Zelma was well able to practice fair and firm control....'

Whent he doctors finally convinced their clients to go to the hospital to have their babies, Zelma turned to the care of the elderly.

When working with young families, Zelma frequently ran into uncooperative youngsters, but she was able to avoid a great deal of fuss with her authoritative manner and quick movements. The elderly were also responsive to her firm, although kind, directions. All ages loved her forher good-natured humour and her spontaneous laughter.

Zelma did not do as much Sunday school and Bible school teaching as manysingle women did, because she could not as easily schedule her work to include such assignments. Sewing circle was more or less in the same category. While she had her permanent residence at Baden with several unmarried sisters, Zelma did serve as president of one of the sewing circle groups and Martha as secretary. They gathered used clothing for relief in their garage. This frequently needed washing, and when the clothes line was full of men's pants, these women had some explaining to do! Zelma was an excellent seamstress. She made her own clothes, and also sewed for the families she worked for when the need required. She could have made a more substantial contribution to the sewing circle if time had permitted.

Although Zelma was devoted to the Mennonite Church, she happily attended whatever church was nearby - no matter what denomination. One woman for whom Zelma worked gives the following tribute: 'I will always remember the unselfish devotion she gave to every task, however small, or humble. She was the perfect example of a Christian woman, and I learned a lot from her.'

After a short illness, Zelma died on Nov. 6, 1978 at the Maples Nursing Home in Tavistock, and is buried in the Nith Valley Mennonite Cemetery. She lives on in the memories of the many persons touched by her ministryof love and caring."

Willing Service:Stories of Ontario Mennonite Women", pg. 228-230